New studies show that fruit and vegetables could help build bone strength during childhood and teenage years.
Results from trials carried out by Canadian scientists have suggested that fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with higher bone mineral density in teenage boys.
The discovery follows a study by researchers in Northern Ireland last year which showed 12-year-old girls with a high fruit consumption had significantly higher heel bone mineral density than those who moderately consumed fruit.
Bone mineral density during early adolescence is key to prevention of osteoporosis in later life - now one of the biggest global health concerns according to the World Health Organisation.
Evidence published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicated that teenagers do not consume the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables each day.
Other research commissioned by the UK Food Standards Agency revealed a possible link eating fruit and vegetable consumption and stronger hipbones in women before and around the time of menopause.
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